Indonesian media urged to consider bigger picture

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KUALA LUMPUR: The Indonesian media should let rational thinking rule and consider the bigger picture when reporting about issues affecting Malaysia and Indonesia.

Top editors of major media groups in Malaysia urged their Indonesian counterparts to join them in an active role to diffuse the tense situation between the two countries.

Malaysia-Indonesia Journalists Solidarity Alliance pro-tem chairman Datuk Ahmad Talib said the tense relationship should not prolong as it had escalated to affect the safety of Malaysians over there as well as jeapordised bilateral and business ties.

Ahmad spoke to reporters after the editors met to discuss ways to improve the Malaysia-Indonesia relationship.

In agreement: Ahmad and Wong holding the press release on the matter in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. With them are (from left) Sabaruddin, Abdull Hadi, Chamil, Yong, Abdul Jalil and Azman.

Also present were movement deputy head and Star Publications group chief editor Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai; Bernama TV editorial advisor Datuk Seri Azman Ujang and its editor-in-chief Datuk Yong Soo Heong, Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) chief executive officer Datuk Chamil Wariya, Kumpulan Karangkraf editor-in-chief Abdul Jalil Ali and media practitioner Sabaruddin Ahmad Sabri.

Also present was Prime Minister’s Department’s public relations section assistant director Abdull Hadi Mohd Yusoff.

While the alliance members stressed press freedom must be respected, the local editors called on their Indonesian counterparts to also take into consideration bilaterial ties.

Concerns were raised over the Indonesian media’s negative reports which whipped up public anger over there.

Ahmad, the Media Prima executive director for news and editorial operations, said they would be meeting with Indonesian media representatives to set up a chapter of the alliance there.

Also planned were journalists exchange programmes.

He added that they also hoped to meet with embassies and bodies such as trade unions or the academia that could help foster better relationship between the two countries.

Asked whether the Malaysian media should hit back at Indonesia, he said the relationship should not be strained further and rational journalism should prevail.

Chamil said MPI had invited a group of young Indonesian journalists to participate in an International Fellowship Journalism programme here last year to foster closer ties.

Bernama’s Azman suggested some Indonesian media might be sensationalising the issues to obtain higher ratings but that “this is not going to win points for any countries.”

In Petaling Jaya, an Indonesian lecturer said foundation between the two countries was strong.

“It is now up to both Governments and use their political will to solve this problem,” said Universitas Indonesia humanities lecturer Dr Yon Machmudi.

Dr Yon attributed the tense relations to the interference of other parties with their own agenda; writings by bloggers and the media, media sensationalism, economy disparity between the two countries and the mentality of the people.

Yon spoke after the formation of the Indonesia-Malaysia Strategic Centre here yesterday.